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IndyCar returns to Detroit for 2012

October 11, 2011

IndyCar racing returns to Detroit in 2012 after a four-year break. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The Izod IndyCar Series will return to Detroit on June 1-3, 2012, to race the 2.1-mile Belle Isle circuit, Chevrolet said on Wednesday. The Motor City is back on the IndyCar schedule for the first time in four years.

The Chevrolet Indy Grand Prix presented by shopautoweek.com will headline the weekend's events. Joining it will be the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series for the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Challenge, the Cadillac V-Series Challenge at Belle Isle and the Firestone Indy Lights Series.

Chevy partnered with IndyCar and the Penske Corp. for the deal, which will last for three years. The race will be broadcast live by ABC on June 3.

The 2012 season marks the debut of new engine suppliers--including Chevrolet--and a new chassis for the IndyCar series. In addition to Chevy, Honda and Lotus are supplying engines to the race series.

"Chevrolet has a long, storied history in IndyCar racing," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "This year we celebrated the shared centennial of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500. We're excited to see that history continue with the help of Penske Corp. and IndyCar."

The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix was last held in 2008, with the American Le Mans Series as a companion race.

The ALMS is not part of the 2012 race because it conflicts with testing days for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But ALMS CEO Scott Atherton said Wednesday that the series plans to be back in Detroit for the 2013 race.